THAT HOUR’S OVERTIME

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 11, 14 January 1941, Page 6

THAT HOUR’S OVERTIME

BALLOT AT CHRISTCHURCH FREEZING WORKS EMPLOYEES

[ Per Press Association. ] CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 13. Workers in the four freezing works near Christchurch are now taking a ballot to decide whether they should work overtime to the extent of one hour daily to prevent any congestion in handling stock for killing during the present season. The ballot was to have been completed to-day but a misunderstanding arose and it cannot now be finished till to-morrow. The situation was discussed at a conference of representatives of employers and workers on Saturday evening, presided over by lhe Conciliation Commissioner, Mr. S. Ritchie, who issued the following report of the proceedings to the press this evening: "At the request of the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, representatives of the workers from the four freezing works operating in the city area—Belfast (two), Kaiapoi, and Islington—met the employers’ representatives on Saturday evening to discuss overcoming any delay that might occur in killing and handling this season’s stock. There was a general discussion and it was decided that a vote be taken on Monday at each of the works to find whether the men would agree to work overtime for one hour per day. The position is that, through a misunderstanding, the ballot has not been completed and no decision therefore has been arrived at.” It is expected that, finality will he reached in the discussions to-morrow.